Can I get an insurance license with a misdemeanor? This is a question that many people nowadays ask. Thus, we have made this post to aid you. Nothing is more important in the insurance industry than sincerity, integrity, and creditability. As an insurance agent, you will assist your clients with their financial concerns.
It should go without stating that they must have complete faith in you. When you seek an insurance license, you must follow the rules set forth by your state. Each state has its licensing obligations for insurance agents. This may entail background checks and fingerprints to ensure that candidates are of good character.
Currently, fingerprints stand as part of the background check in 25 states. This entails running your biometrics through the FBI Criminal Database to see whether you’ve ever gotten convicted of anything.
For the last seven years, most other states and the District of Columbia have required identification and background checks. Do you have a problem with your background or criminal record?
Are you unsure if you qualify for an insurance license? We will also go through how you might receive your insurance license if you have a problem with your past or record in this post. Let’s get started!
Can I Get an Insurance License with a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a less severe criminal infraction than a felony. It may range from simple assault to stealing, trespassing, disorderly behavior, and other minor offenses.
Misdemeanors typically come with a shorter sentence, lower fines, and just temporary penalties. With a misdemeanor, you can usually receive an insurance license. Certain offenses, however, require you to serve a disqualification time before applying for licensing.
Some states require a seven-year disqualification term for violations directly linked to the financial services industry, while others may be more lenient. Finally, contact your state’s Department of Insurance for information on the chances of receiving an insurance license if you have a misdemeanor.
How to Get an Insurance License with Other Offenses
Aside from a misdemeanor, there are additional circumstances in which you may want assistance in obtaining an insurance license. This includes the following:
Obtaining an insurance license after committing a felony
Murder, rape, burglary, abduction, and arson are examples of felonies, which carry heavy penalties and lengthy imprisonment or prison terms. The sort of crime determines whether or not an agent may get licensing.
Some candidates get an automatic denial of an insurance license, while others may be eligible to apply after a particular time has passed.
Applicants who have a conviction of first-degree crimes, a capital offense, a felony involving embezzlement, fraud, misappropriation, or a criminal directly connected to the financial services industry are unlikely to be eligible for an insurance license.
There is a necessary waiting time for all other offenses before seeking a license and is a fifteen-year disqualification for crimes involving moral turpitude not explicitly included in permanent bans.
There is a seven-year disqualification term for other offenses for which neither the permanent ban nor does the 15-year penalty apply. Applicants must demonstrate that they have been through rehabilitation once the disqualification period has ended.
They must also show that they are not a danger to clients and are reliable enough to operate in the insurance industry. For more information about gaining a license with a felony, contact your state’s Department of Insurance.
Obtaining an insurance license with a DUI
Driving while intoxicated (DUI) is a significant offense that may have numerous ramifications in your professional life. If you get a DUI, whether you may receive insurance license depends on whether the crime gets categorization as a misdemeanor.
A first-time conviction for driving while intoxicated is usually a misdemeanor. It may even get prosecution as a felony offense in specific cases. A felony gets general consideration when you commit a DUI many times.
The circumstances and categories of DUI differ from one state to the next. If you get a conviction for a domestic DUI, you will most likely obtain an insurance license.
Certain businesses have hired many agents with prior DUI convictions. If you have a criminal record, though, the procedure may be more complex, and you may face lengthy disqualification periods.
Obtaining an insurance license despite a poor credit history
It is not hard to be accepted as an insurance agent if you have a low credit score. However, you must remember that most insurance companies are highly discriminating in their screening procedure.
They will inquire about any existing debts and defaults, as well as current and previous foreclosures, before you sign the contract. Furthermore, several organizations provide advance commissions or a loan against future revenues if you qualify based on credit.
They want to know that if your clients cancel their policies, you’ll be able to repay the loan. While most candidates with weak credit will get an insurance license, they may have trouble obtaining appointments with insurance companies.
In the end, it comes down to all that’s on your credit report. This will differ by the insurance company since some are more lenient with poor credit than others.
Tax Lien
The government sends a tax lien on your asset when you’re behind on your taxes. A tax levy may be imposed if a federal tax lien is not paid. That is, you might lose your property if you don’t pay your taxes.
If you haven’t paid your tax bill or made any payment arrangements, your state may prohibit you from acquiring an insurance license.
Insurance license with a Misdemeanor: More tips
With a misdemeanor, you may receive an insurance license if you submit a statement to the authorities detailing the events leading up to the incident and sharing your side of the story. Maintain a professional, honest, and factual demeanor.
This isn’t the place to whine about unfairness; it’s the place to persuade them that you’re now someone they can give a license and that you’re not a public safety risk. You may also use letters of recommendation to make your case.
You may submit as many letters of recommendation from persons who are “informed of your criminal history” as you believe are suitable. Suppose you were to become an insurance agent.
In that case, these letters should address the conviction and character characteristics that will persuade the authorities that you are responsible and not a risk to the public. Take time to write two or three decent letters that say anything other than “You’re a nice man.”
You need someone to give you their honest evaluation and explain why they believe you might work as an insurance agent without endangering the public.
Just because you’ve had a criminal record doesn’t mean you can’t work as an adjuster or have an insurance license. However, it will lead the licensing authority to scrutinize your application.
Even though it isn’t stated, it gets assumed that you have specific offenses that prevent them from ever contemplating issuing you a license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an insurance license with a misdemeanor?
Yes. You can get an insurance license if you have a misdemeanor through the tips highlighted above.
Is it necessary to reveal any prior convictions while applying for an insurance license?
Yes. If you have ever got a conviction of a crime or are facing charges, you must reveal this information when seeking an insurance license. You must submit certified copies of the papers indicated concerning your conviction or current case.
Does a criminal record impact insurance?
You may not be able to access coverage if you have a criminal record, depending on whether it is a misdemeanor. The risk determines the cost of life insurance you pose to insurance companies, and having a felony criminal record is considered high-risk by many life insurance firms.
What kinds of felonies preclude a felon from working as a life insurance agent?
Felons who commit the following offenses are generally unable to work as life insurance agents:
- Serious felons are forbidden from applying for an insurance license for the rest of their lives.
- A crime involving financial fraud, fraud, or causing financial services to undergo disruption. For offenders, this creates an insurmountable barrier to obtaining a license.
- The felon’s civil rights will not get restored due to the permanent ban.
- People who have committed other offenses usually wait until they have completed their schooling before seeking a license.
- A prohibition involving educational qualifications may also result in canceling an insurance license due to convictions or guilty pleas.
- If a crime involves financial services, a felon barres from working for seven years.
- Dishonest offenders who abuse trust or break any state laws sentenc to five years in prison and must pay a $5,000 fine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the insurance business tends to be quite lucrative for many people. And if you desire more help on getting an insurance license with a misdemeanor, the tips above will aid you immensely.
